1935 R125 Complete Set of National Chicle Secret Service Flashes on Uncut Strips

Complete set of twenty-four 1935 R125 Secret Service Flashes, issued by National Chicle in 1935, displayed on four uncut strips (six flashes to a strip). These uncut sheets were obviously long ago saved by National Chicle and almost certainly served as examples of the issue saved as file copies. This is a rare issue! We've never even seen this set before. According to Christopher Benjamin, in his definitive work The Sport Americana Price Guide to the Non-Sports Cards 1930-1960, the Secret Service Flashes, which were found in packages of Secret Service Gum, were issued in direct response to the growing "G-man" craze of the 1930s. Each "Flash," printed on a sheet of pink paper (3.75 x 4.75 inches), features the illustrated adventures of Ace Hunter of the Secret Service and his young sidekick, Tom Dean, in their battle against the nefarious Secret Ink Gang. The novelty of the piece is that kids could read a secret message on the reverse after wetting the sheet. Each uncut sheet measures approximately 22.75 x 4.75 inches and features six sequentially numbered Flashes. The date "Apr 25 1935" is stamped on the front and reverse of one sheet, while another bears the same date written in ink on the reverse. All of the sheets feature five vertical folds, as well as minor flaws, but still present with an outstanding Excellent appearance. This is essentially a proof set of this extremely rare 1930s gum issue, and is almost certainly unique. Total: 4 uncut sheets. Reserve $200. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $6,463

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